M3 Servicing

[paulmoonraker]

Hi all,

Just got me hands on an E92 M3 So I wanted to get a view on whether to stick with BMW for servicing etc, or use a good indie (PMW in Essex are local).

The car is a keeper, so over time I am thinking the money saved will balance against any loss in value due to not having a full dealer service history.

What do we think?

[paulmoonraker]

Also, what octane fuel are these calibrated for? Does super make a difference?

I did google that but could not find any UK information...

[161BMW]

If this were me and was a keeper I would use BMW Dealer servicing and super unleaded such as Shell V-Power :-)

[paulmoonraker]

161BMW said:

If this were me and was a keeper I would use BMW Dealer servicing and super unleaded such as Shell V-Power :-)

But I am thinking that a full dealer history wont make as much of a difference to resale value over the longer term.

Do they need to use SUL?

[chatuge]

paulmoonraker said:

161BMW said:

If this were me and was a keeper I would use BMW Dealer servicing and super unleaded such as Shell V-Power :-)

But I am thinking that a full dealer history wont make as much of a difference to resale value over the longer term.

Do they need to use SUL?

I honestly would stick with SUL! I even use SUL in a mini cooper as I'm convinced (could all be in my head!) that it runs better on it! I know that we all have a budget, but buying an M3 kinda means that we're not all on the breadline, so I'd try to keep it BMW Main Dealer as long as possible and use good fuel. I hear what you're saying about it being a keeper, but we all say that when we've just got a car, but 3 years down the line the shiny new model appears and we have some cash in our pockets! Thats when its nice to have a FBMWSH to advertise! They're probably 20% more expensive but you'll get taht cash back at the end I'm sure. If I was buying then I'd use an Independent Service HIstory as a bargaining point. Its all about taking away any ability for the next person to haggle on the price IMO.

[paulmoonraker]

I guess that's another way of looking at it. Its not so much about money with the servicing etc, its more the customer care and knowledge you get from an Indie.

All my previous cars have needed SUL, so I am not fused about using it. I just wondered if the engine is calibrated/mapped for it. My old Cayman would actually retard engine timing if you used 95ron and my STi would knock its tits off...

[garypotter]

runnning an e36 M3 the main dealer servicing costs are horrendous and the customer service was pretty ste!, i use a specialist at a fraction of the price plus you get to know the staff over the years and they can give you so much better service to you and your car.
IMHO

[mcbrun12]

I personally would go for BMW servicing for the warranty period, yes I know BMW will honour the warranty if you use genuine parts, but if they start asking for proof do you want to go through the hassle?
Also, they will know what recalls and upgrades are needed, I wouldn't trust my indie to know that.

Fuel, Evo magazine did a comparison of fuels a while ago using a V10 M5 and a Golf GTI, it's worth a read -> http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/tuning-and-upgrades...

[joema]

I wouldn't consider Non FBWMSH as a bargaining point for me. As long as it has full and documented SH I'm not fussed.

I'd personally prefer a well known Indie that's been visited a few times.

To some it matters, maybe the majority of which do but since you accept that your car may be worth less it should balance in terms of money saved at dealership, probably save money over the years.

[chatuge]

mcbrun12 said:

I personally would go for BMW servicing for the warranty period, yes I know BMW will honour the warranty if you use genuine parts, but if they start asking for proof do you want to go through the hassle?
Also, they will know what recalls and upgrades are needed, I wouldn't trust my indie to know that.

Agree on all of the above! And they also know which updates are the right ones to apply....

[paulmoonraker]

garypotter said:

runnning an e36 M3 the main dealer servicing costs are horrendous and the customer service was pretty ste!, i use a specialist at a fraction of the price plus you get to know the staff over the years and they can give you so much better service to you and your car.
IMHO

This is the aspect of it I like.

I will check the manual for fuel type later.

[Far Cough]

According to pre order paperwork states that 98Ron is preferable but can be run on 95Ron but expect a performance decrease.

[RossP]

Use BMW for oil service and supply your own oil. Use Indy for any other work.

[EssexIan]

I use PMW and would whole heartedly reccomend them for any work you need. If you are local to PMW then I guess you will be thinking of using one of the BMW dealers in Chelmsford or the surrounding area, having used most of them I would trust PMW over any of them!

PMW keep themselves up to date with all recalls and software updates etc so that shouldn't be a problem and appear to only use genuine BMW parts, the owner of PMW is BMW trained as are many of the people working for him, those that aren't have back grounds with other prestige marques.

Personally I'd rather see a thorough and complete history from a good and recognised independent than a few stamps in a book from main dealers.

Ian

[CooperS]

paulmoonraker said:

garypotter said:

runnning an e36 M3 the main dealer servicing costs are horrendous and the customer service was pretty ste!, i use a specialist at a fraction of the price plus you get to know the staff over the years and they can give you so much better service to you and your car.
IMHO

This is the aspect of it I like.

I will check the manual for fuel type later.

I get what your saying about SUL but i'm in agreement that if i could i filled on SUL (preferably V-Power) but i never didn't fill up because i was at a Tescos.


As for main dealer.... well i like warranties and so do many others, my warranty cost me £800 or so but paid out something like 3k over the 2 years.

Also my local dealer was Eastern and they were always spot on in terms of car prep.... an area they do fall down on is transport away from the dealership if your without a courtesy which i pointed out.

I used a specialist on my Elise 111R but that was after my warranty and goodwill had run out at Murray's and i didn't want to move in and live under the service desk.....

Essentially i can see and have gone down both sides but atm with a E92 i'd be going main dealer

[paulmoonraker]

Thanks all. I worked out how to use IDrive today, so have been informed I have 8K miles to decide. I am kind of leaning towards main dealer for service and Indy for repairs etc.

PMW seem to know thier stuff, and the nice ladies sourced me an OBD2 port and had it delivered for me to collect the same day!

I will stick with 97ron or better. To be honest, it's such a habit I think I would just use it anyway...

[pjv997]

I think main dealer for standard service (which are usually fixed price menu) and indi for repairs is a good compromise.

SUL all the way for me.